The enchanted walls surrounding the Ekohikei.
Komachi's Travel Guide
Otosan Uchi is thought to be impregnable. The Enchanted Walls that surround the Ekohikei districts are one of the most impressive sights in all of Rokugan, second only to the Kaiu Wall far to the south. According to legend, the spirits of Rokugan’s fallen heroes stand guard over the gates. During the Battle of Four Winds, soldiers reported that ghosts of the recently slain stood firm against the forces of Fu Leng, and there have been accounts of ghostly activity near the gate houses ever since. The Kitsu, who were involved in the gate houses’s original designs, have only one response to inquiries about the legend: “Otosan Uchi is the home of the dead as much as the living. We are each safer for the presence of the other.”
Sadako's Otosan Uchi
Usiko, Michisune, and I were on our way home after a party that had run quite late. The bridges and walls were near empty as we passed out of the Ekohikei on our way back to the Hayasu district. What stopped us? A strange voice? A chill wind? I don’t remember, but stop we did, high atop the wall, near the bridge that connected eastern to southern wall. Ahead of us, there stood a bushi bearing the Matsu mon, weapons drawn, looking out over the city and to the plains beyond.
Michisune stepped forward, brave as ever, and asked if there was some trouble, some reason this Matsu was on such alert. She turned at the sound of his voice and—reader, I swear to you this is the truth—where her face would be, I saw only stars.
Michisune and Usiko both flinched back, but I stepped forward. I have felt the chill of the shadowlands. I have seen the taint of maho. This spirit held none of that darkness.
Sadly she didn’t linger long enough for me to speak. We all heard a crash behind us, like something falling, and turned to look. When we turned back, she had gone.